"I would give anything not to believe you, but I cannot ignore these letters."
"I promise you every word I've told you is true," Rosina answered. "I don't want you to be caught and tied to such a despicable man. He's selfish and dangerous."
"You were right to tell me," Lady Doreen agreed, "but it has been a shock. I thought, I suppose stupidly, that what he was saying to me he had never said to any other woman. That I was the one woman he'd been looking for."
She fell silent, sunk in sadness.
Rosina regarded her with sympathy. At last she said,
"I'm afraid that is part of his act and he does it very well. But I'm certain that poor Miss Draycott was not the first person he had made love to, nor will she be the last."
"What am I to do?" Lady Doreen said. "I had promised to help him canvass in the constituency, if he was adopted as candidate. I can't do that now, but Papa will wonder why.
"Perhaps I could tell him that I've promised to help you canvass votes for your father, as we are such good friends."
She looked quickly at Rosina.
"We are friends, aren't we?"
"Always," Rosina replied fervently. "Forgive me if this has hurt you, but it would have been worse for you to learn the truth later."
"You are quite right," Lady Doreen said in a soft voice.
"Don't let yourself be sad for long," Rosina said impulsively. "He isn't worth it, and what you have learned from him may be useful in dealing with other men. You have so much to offer that the wrong sort of man will always imagine you are easy prey."
"Then he will find himself mistaken," her friend said in a resolute voice. "I will wait for the right man."
"I'm glad you said that," Rosina told her. "He must love you because you are the perfect woman he has been looking for, and perhaps praying for, all his life. As you are so pretty and very intelligent, I think that, sooner than you expect, you will find the right person who you will love, and who will love you for the rest of your life."
She paused for a moment before she added, "That is what we all want. Of course I want it too, but – " she broke off and sighed. "I don't know if it will happen for me."
"But all the men are sighing for you," Lady Doreen said.
"But I am not sighing for them," Rosina said with a laugh.
"And I thought you wanted to take Arthur away from me."
"I did – but only to toss him on the rubbish heap where he belongs," Rosina replied with spirit.
At this Lady Doreen even managed a faint laugh.
"I should thank you for being brave enough to take action against him," she said. "I would never have suspected. I believed Arthur when he told me I was the first person who had ever captured his heart."
There was a sob in her voice as she continued,
"Now I see that all he cares about is personal gain."
"Unfortunately that is true," Rosina admitted. "But not all men are like him, and sooner or later we'll each find a man who loves us because we are ourselves, and not because we have anything else to offer him."
"How shall we know?" Lady Doreen wondered. "How can girls like ourselves ever be sure ?"
"I think we know instinctively," Rosina replied. "You will see love in his eyes and know that love is beating in his heart. It's not what they say that matters but what they are thinking and feeling. That is what we have to be clever enough to understand."
Lady Doreen said sadly,
"Suppose we never find a man who loves us for ourselves."
"You need not fear that," Rosina replied firmly. "You are so pretty and charming that you will find a man who would love you if you owned nothing but a hole in the hedge."
"But if it doesn't happen," Lady Doreen persisted.
"Then we'll be happy old maids."
They embraced, hugging each other tightly.
"We shall always be friends," Rosina promised.
Together they went downstairs. But there a shock awaited them.
As they reached the hall, the butler was opening the front door, admitting a man who stopped dead at the sight of them.
They too stopped suddenly.
"Arthur," Lady Doreen whispered.
One look at her face was enough to tell him the worst, but he tried to brazen it out.
"I have come to take you home," he said. "I hope you haven't been listening to any lies about me."
"I have been listening to the truth," she said passionately. "Don't come near me. I never want to see or speak to you again."
"But I can explain – " he cried, refusing to believe that the prize was slipping through his fingers.
"Your letters? Can you explain them? I have seen them, Arthur. I have read every dreadful word, and there is nothing that you can explain."
A moment ago she had been smiling through her tears, full of courage. Now the sight of him had brought her grief flooding back. Her face streaming with tears, she ran down the rest of the stairs, pushed Arthur Woodward aside and ran out into the street.
Rosina saw her run to her waiting carriage and hurry aboard. It drove off at once, leaving him staring after it in helpless rage.
Then he turned back into the house, staring at Rosina with eyes filled with hate.
The butler looked nervously between them.
"It's all right, Amesbury," Rosina said quickly. "You may go."
Whatever was going to happen now, she did not want it witnessed and gossiped about by a servant.
The butler melted away.
"You did that," Arthur Woodward snapped.
"You brought it on yourself by telling lies about me," she told him. "But then, lies come naturally to you, don't they, Mr. Woodward?"
"You are determined to ruin me. You wouldn't rest until you'd got revenge for that stupid woman."
"Don't talk about her like that."
"I shall talk any way I like. Do you think I care for anything after what you've done to me? I could have made something of myself. I could have served this country – "
"No, you only cared about serving yourself. I could not let my friend marry you, knowing what I do."
"And just what do you think will happen now, my fine lady? Am I supposed to slink away like a beaten dog because you have deigned to turn your hand against me? Do you think I give up so easily?"
"I care nothing for what you do now," Rosina told him.
"Oh, but you will. Matters are not going to rest here.
I, too, know how to take revenge, and I shall take it. You will rue the day you ever crossed me, I promise you."
"And you will rue the day you ever spoke to a lady like that," came Sir John's voice, so suddenly that they both jumped.
He wasted no time but took Arthur Woodward's ear between his fingers, and propelled him irresistibly towards the front door.
"Let me go," Woodward howled.
"By all means," Sir John said, releasing him so suddenly that the man staggered and had to clutch the doorpost to stop himself falling down the steps.
"You haven't heard the last of me," he raged. "I'll make you sorry for this, both of you, but especially – " his finger pointed directly at Rosina, "especially you!"
Instantly Sir John sprang forward, seized the man by the collar and thrust him back against the wall.
"If you dare to hurt one hair of Miss Clarendon's head," he declared with fierce emphasis, "I will make you sorry you were born. Do you understand me?"
Woodward gave a gasp to signify that he did and Sir John released him. He turned and ran down the steps, down the street, out of sight.
"Are you all right?" Sir John asked Rosina.
"Yes, I am very well. I won't let that creature frighten me. But I'm glad you came by when you did."
"It was no accident. Amesbury was worried about leaving you with him, and he came to find me, thank goodness. Are you sure that you're all right? You seem upset."
Rosina had begun to shake. Sir John drew her quickly into the library and shut the door behind them. T
hen he simply drew her into his arms so that her head rested on his shoulder. Gradually she felt herself stop shaking.
"That's better," he said. "You should never have been left alone with that beast."
"Why not? I promise you he was far more afraid of me than I of him."
"And that's where your danger lies. A man like that fights like a cornered rat, and I don't want you to be his prey."
"He can fight all he likes. Lady Doreen knows the truth now. What can he fight for?"
"Revenge. You heard him. My poor girl! You shouldn't have to carry all these burdens."
The words made her stiffen and draw back. She was reluctant, because it was strangely pleasant to be standing like that with him. But not for the world would she let Sir John think she was the kind of frail female who demanded male protection.
That was probably how he believed women ought to be, she thought darkly. If so, she would show him otherwise.
"Why not?" she demanded. "Why shouldn't I have to carry these burdens?"
"Because carrying burdens is a man's responsibility and – "
He stopped, warned by the glitter in her eyes that he was straying into dangerous territory.
"I know you are stronger than most women, and more intelligent – "
"Oh, so you think most women are weak fools?"
"I didn't say that."
"You implied it."
"Why are you trying to quarrel with me? Are you angry because for once you needed my help?"
"I am grateful for your help, but don't read too much into it. I am still stronger than that man."
"Don't underestimate him, Rosina."
"Then let him not underestimate me. I still have the letters, and, if I catch him up to any mischief again, I'll use them."
He gave a rueful laugh.
"You're so brave and defiant. If I didn't know you better, I'd be scared of you myself."
"What makes you so sure you know me better? You knew me as I used to be, not as I have been since Miss Draycott's death. I'm a different person since then. I fight back, on her behalf and on behalf of all women. And I won't be satisfied until all women are empowered to fight for themselves."
"Are we talking about women having the vote?" he asked wryly.
"Among other things, and how dare you find that funny! Do you think what happened to her is funny? Has anyone ever been able to treat you like that? I don't think so."
"Then you'd be wrong," he said. "I've been treated exactly like that by a woman who broke my heart and left without a backward glance as soon as she found a better prospect. Callousness is not the prerogative of my sex, believe me."
"Then you should be more sympathetic and understanding when I try to do something for other women."
"But you've already done it. I merely beg you not to endanger yourself. Rosina, you've struck a mighty blow for ill-used women, but let this be the end. Promise me that."
"I shall promise you nothing. How dare you demand promises of me!"
"I not only demand, I insist. Let me have those letters at once."
"I shall do no such thing. Who do you think you are? My father?"
"Not at all," he muttered so softly that she barely heard.
Aloud he said,
"You are brave and strong but you don't know the world."
"I knew it well enough to defeat Arthur Woodward."
"He isn't defeated, only winded. He'll be back. And if you like to think of yourself as a warrior, let me tell you this. No warrior is invincible, and only the foolish ones imagine that they are. You need help."
"I do not need your help."
"I think you do."
"Your idea of helping me is to take over and give me orders."
"I want you to give me those letters."
"And I think I should not. The subject is now closed."
"Is it indeed?" he said, his eyes kindling with anger.
"Yes it is, because I am now going upstairs to my room, where I shall lock myself in. If you attempt to pursue me, it will cause a scandal. In fact, Mama would probably throw you out of the house."
"And your father would promptly bring me back," he retorted, annoyed with himself for being unable to resist saying it.
Rosina surveyed him with her head back. She was almost laughing.
"You delude yourself, sir. Papa may be a very big man in the House of Commons, but in the House of Clarendon, Mama rules. If you doubt me, try it."
He didn't dare try it. She was too sure of herself. Instead he said through gritted teeth,
"That is dishonest fighting. It's taking advantage of your opponent's weak spot."
"I thought that was how you were supposed to fight," she replied innocently. "Isn't that how politics works?"
"Then suppose I fight dishonestly too? Either you give me those letters or I disclose this whole thing to your father, and he will demand them."
"You wouldn't!"
"Why not? I'm simply playing you at your own game. As you say, it's politics and you're becoming an accomplished politician. So we fight on even terms."
Rosina's eyes shone with excitement.
"No quarter asked?"
"None asked or given," he said.
"In that case – I have the letters upstairs."
She left the library and mounted the stairs, Sir John behind her. As they reached her room she said,
"You'll have to wait out here."
"Naturally," he said, slightly shocked at the suggestion that he might do otherwise. "But leave the door open so that I can see what you're doing."
"Why, don't you trust me?"
"No."
She slipped into her room.
The next moment the door was shut in his face, and the sound of a bolt shooting across told him he'd been fooled.
"Rosina!"
From behind the door came her triumphant voice.
"There's more than one way to fight dishonestly."
He was about to knock furiously, when he beheld the terrible sight of the housekeeper approaching. He thought fast, and, raising his voice, addressed the door.
"I'm glad to have been of service, Miss Clarendon."
Then he turned and walked down the stairs with as much dignity as he could muster.
And her laughter followed him all the way.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Next day Sir John went to attend to some business in his constituency and Rosina did not see him for a while. Meanwhile her giddy social life went on whirling until it was almost out of control.
As a debutante she was presented at court and was winked at by the Prince of Wales. She attended parties, balls and picnics. She joined a merry group at the races where the Prince had a horse running, put a discreet wager on the animal, and lost.
Miss Holden was there and lost a great deal of money, which seemed to bother her not at all. George Blakemore also had substantial losses, which he shrugged off.
For a few days she did not see Lady Doreen, and she wondered what had happened regarding Arthur Woodward, who seemed to have vanished from the social scene. She was thinking of calling on her, but then she saw her at a ball they both attended, given by the Duke of Malton.
Her friend smiled and came over to her.
"I've been hoping to see you," she said. "I have so much to tell you."
They drew aside together into a tiny room.
"Tell me what happened," Rosina begged. "Did you
send Arthur Woodward on his way?"
"Oh yes. When I reached home Papa was there and he could see that I was upset. He wanted to know why, and so I had to tell him everything. He was displeased that I had encouraged Mr. Woodward's pretensions, but he forgave me.
"I told him about the last letter, the one in which that man boasted of the match he was about to make, and Papa was furious. He sent for him and told him never to set foot in our house again. Since then Papa has been warning people to have nothing to do with him."
"I am so glad," Rosina said fervently.
"And now Papa wants to speak to you."
Lady Doreen took Rosina's hand and led her to Lord Blakemore, who said gruffly,
"My daughter has told me what she owes you ma'am, and I thank you. Should you ever need anything, you may command me."
"Thank you, sir. I'm only glad to have been able to help my friend."
She smiled at Lady Doreen as she said this.
"And you have been the best possible friend to her," Lord Blakemore said warmly. "It was my intention to back Mr. Woodward as a candidate for the new constituency of South Gradley. But now I have withdrawn my backing. I did not, of course say why, for my daughter's sake. I simply made my lack of enthusiasm known, and I'm happy to say that his candidacy is at an end."
"That's wonderful news," Rosina exclaimed.
"Yes, but don't be too sure you've seen the last of him. He has an ingratiating manner and he'll find another opening in some place where my influence does not extend."
"Is there such a place?" Rosina asked.
"He will discover one. When I think I esteemed him so highly that I was going to let Doreen canvass for him, it fills me with horror."
"But perhaps she can join me in canvassing for Papa," Rosina said.
"That's what she tells me she wants to do. It'll be time for you all to go to the constituencies soon."
"And I should so like to help Sir Elroy win his seat," Lady Doreen said eagerly.
"Of course you may, my dear. Miss Clarendon, I bid you goodnight. And please remember that you have my eternal gratitude."
Almost overwhelmed, Rosina thanked him. She could hardly believe what was happening. Mr. Woodward was defeated. She only wished Sir John could be here to witness her victory.
In fact, any gathering from which he was absent, seemed strangely lacking in interest. If he was here she could at least enjoy a good quarrel with him.
But then, she realised, even if he was here, he would probably be too busy dancing with Lettice Holden to have any thought for herself.
Miss Holden was dancing with George Blakemore, but as the music ended George hailed her and came over to ask Rosina to take the floor with him. She danced with him twice, then with several other highly placed admirers who praised her to the skies. One, a Marquis, was clearly laying the ground for a proposal, until she gently discouraged him.
Finally she went home, filled with relief to have escaped her admirers, who frankly were beginning to bore her.
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